Grenfell Tower Families Fight to Save Victims’ Handprints Before Demolition

Relatives of those killed in London's deadly 2017 Grenfell Tower fire are demanding the UK government preserve stairwell walls containing handprints they believe were left by victims and survivors. The families have filed legal action to stop demolition crews from destroying these sections, which they say hold important evidence of that tragic night.

Relatives of victims from the devastating 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze are taking legal action against the UK government, demanding officials halt demolition work to save wall sections containing what they believe are handprints left by those who perished or escaped the inferno.

The deadly blaze consumed the 24-floor public housing building in an upscale London neighborhood during the early morning hours of June 14, 2017, claiming 72 lives. Crews started tearing down the structure last September in a process expected to span two years.

Images obtained by Reuters reveal soot-covered corridor walls displaying multiple visible handprints on one level. Workers also discovered Arabic writing stating “Allahu Akbar” (meaning “God is greatest”) on a separate floor, along with additional handprints in another stairway.

“These sections on the walls in the stairwell hold the voices of that night – and we will not let them be erased, silenced, or this tragedy be sanitised,” declared Karim Khalloufi, whose sister died in the fire.

The bereaved families have submitted a formal legal challenge seeking a judicial review, which would allow a court to evaluate whether the government’s actions are legally sound.

They point to commitments made by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner in 2025, who indicated tower portions could be saved for memorial purposes if residents desired it.

Grenfell Next of Kin, representing immediate family members of more than half the deceased, is pushing officials to protect these wall sections while memorial discussions continue with relatives and designers.

Legal representatives for the families report the government refuses to preserve materials above the ninth floor, citing the sensitive nature and loss of life. However, both the handprints and Arabic inscription were discovered beyond this designated level.

A government spokesperson from MHCLG stated officials remain dedicated to “ensuring what happened at the tower is remembered, with the community’s voice at the heart of our work,” emphasizing that demolition activities are being conducted with careful consideration for those impacted.